Binocular And Focusing Device

ABSTRACT

The technology generally relates to a binocular having two tubes, which are connected to one another by means of a hinged bridge pivotable about a hinge axis for adjusting the interpupillary distance. Within each of the two tubes an axially displaceable focusing means is arranged and a common focusing device for displacing the focusing means is formed. The focusing device includes a housing and a focusing knob rotatable about a rotational axis and the rotational axis is arranged coaxially to the hinge axis. The focusing knob is rotationally coupled to a focusing gear and the focusing gear, in each case, comprises a push rod, by means of which the focusing gear is, in each case, coupled to one of the two focusing means. A longitudinal axis of the push rod encloses an acute angle with the hinge axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Austrian Patent ApplicationNo. A50995/2019 filed Nov. 15, 2019, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The technology relates to a binocular having two tubes, which areconnected to one another by means of a hinged bridge pivotable about ahinge axis for adjusting the interpupillary distance, wherein in the twotubes, in each case, an axially displaceable focusing means is arranged,and wherein a common focusing device for displacing the focusing meansis formed, wherein the focusing device comprises a housing and afocusing knob rotatable about a rotational axis and the rotational axisis arranged coaxially to the hinge axis, and wherein the focusing knobis rotationally coupled to a focusing gear and the focusing gear, ineach case, comprises a push rod, by means of which the focusing gear is,in each case, coupled to one of the two focusing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Common binoculars of the aforementioned type have the disadvantage thatthey are often unwieldy to operate, since, due to the way of theirconstruction, they usually are relatively bulky in an area where a userholds the binocular during use.

It is therefore an object of the technology to take structural measureswhich allow greater freedom in designing the outer shape of thebinocular.

In a binocular of the initially mentioned type, this object is achievedin that a longitudinal axis of the push rod encloses an acute angle withthe hinge axis.

The solution according to the technology allows for a reduction of therequired installation space in the middle region of the tubes due to thearrangement of the axes differing from the arrangement in commonbinoculars.

Advantageous further developments of the technology are indicated in thesub-claims.

A further disadvantage of known solutions consists in that the push rodis far apart from the hinged bridge such that relatively long leversmust be used to effect an application of force onto the push rods whenthe focusing knob is actuated. However, the long levers result in asignificant mechanical load on the push rods. Thus, it is a furtherobject of the technology to minimize the mechanical load of the pushrods.

This object is achieved in a binocular of the initially mentioned typein that one end of the push rod is arranged in one of the tubes andanother end of the push rod is arranged in the hinged bridge.

By the bearing in the hinged bridge, moreover, an inclined position ofthe push rod is favored.

It is particularly advantageous if the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the push rod of each tube is aligned obliquely, in particularskew, with respect to a direction of an optical axis of the first tube.

Preferably, in the two tubes, in each case, a beam path is formed with afirst optical axis of an objective lens, with a second optical axis ofan eyepiece and with a prism erecting system, wherein the first opticalaxis of the objective lens and the second optical axis of the eyepieceare offset parallel to each other by a distance so that these axes donot coincide, wherein the hinge axis of the hinged bridge, the firstoptical axis of the objective lens and the second optical axis of theeyepiece lie in a common first plane.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the hingeaxis spans a second plane with the longitudinal axis of the push rod,wherein the first plane and the second plane commonly enclose an acuteangle with a value between 0° and 30°, in particular between 10° and30°.

Preferably, the push rod can be held in a guide tunnel of a tube housingso as to be displaceable back and forth in the direction of itslongitudinal axis.

It has proven to be particularly favorable for the push rods to bedesigned so as to be adjustable in their length in a telescope-likemanner.

An operation is significantly facilitated in that the focusing knob isarranged so as to be freely accessible from an upper side and from abottom side of the binocular.

The ergonomics are significantly improved by an outer side of each tubecomprising a waist formed with a circumferential shape deviating from acircular shape in a region of the prism erecting system, wherein asection extending on an upper side of the tube is formed as a retainingrecess following the waist for a section of a finger and a sectionextending on a bottom side of the tube is formed as a retaining recessfollowing the waist for a section of a thumb of a user.

Preferably, the retaining recesses each have a concave cross-sectiontransversely to the longitudinal direction of the waist.

According to an advantageous variant, it is provided that a longitudinaldirection of the retaining recess extending on the upper side and/or alongitudinal direction of the retaining recess extending on the bottomside encloses at least one angle of between 35° and 90° with a directionof the hinge axis.

It is particularly preferred if a direction of a longitudinal extent ofeach retaining recess extends obliquely to a direction of a longitudinalextent of the tube.

Each retaining recess of each tube can have a first eyepiece-side endregion located closer to the eyepiece and a second objective-side endregion located closer to the objective lens, wherein the distancebetween the respective eyepiece-side end regions of the retainingrecesses of the two tubes is smaller than the distance between therespective objective-side end regions of the retaining recesses of thetwo tubes.

Further, it can also be provided that each tube in the region of itswaist has two retaining recesses opposite to one another, in particulartwo retaining recesses arranged on sections of the tube rotated by 180°with respect to one another.

An embodiment has proven to be particularly advantageous in which theretaining recesses of the two tubes taper towards one another in aV-shape, wherein a retaining recess of a first one of the two tubesforms a first limb of the “V” and a retaining recess of a second one ofthe two tubes forms a second limb of the “V”.

A particularly simple operability of the focusing knob can be achievedin that a tip of the “V” is located in the region of the focusing knob,or that an imaginary extension of the longitudinal extents of theretaining recesses keeping an orientation of the retaining recessesextends through the focusing knob, or that the focusing knob is arrangedbetween an imaginary extension of the longitudinal extents keeping theorientation of the retaining recesses.

Advantageously, outer sides of the two tubes can each comprise the waistin the region of the prism erecting system in a direction perpendicularwith respect to the first plane.

Favorably, it is provided that a cross-section normal to the first planeand to the direction of the optical axis through each of the tubes inthe region of the waist has its narrowest part in an intersection areaof the respective tube with a plane extending normal to the direction ofthe first optical axis of the objective lens, wherein a ratio of adiameter of the narrowest part of the tube normal to the first plane toa diameter of the housing in the area of the objective lens has a valueof below 80%, in particular has a value amounting to between 60% and80%.

According to an embodiment which is very advantageous in view ofergonomics, the tube can have the largest distance between diametricallyopposite inner sides and thus its broadest part in an intersection areaof the tube with the first plane in a section covering the prismerecting system.

In a variant which is particularly advantageous in view of the requiredinstallation space it is provided that a tip of a roof edge of the prismerecting system is arranged in the region of the widest part and facingoutwards, wherein the shortest distance between the tip of the roof edgeand the inner wall of the tube is smaller than the shortest distancebetween the tip of the roof edge and the optical axis.

According to a preferred embodiment of the technology, a third planeextending through the retaining recess at the upper side of the tube andthrough the retaining recess at the bottom side of the tube extendsthrough the prism erecting system.

In view of a particularly compact construction, it has proven to beadvantageous that the prism erecting system comprises a Schmidt-Pechanprism system.

For the purpose of better understanding of the technology, it will beelucidated in more detail by means of the non-limiting exemplaryembodiments shown in the figures below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a binocular;

FIG. 2 the binocular of FIG. 1 in a perspective view from diagonallybelow;

FIG. 3 an optical system of the binocular of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a longitudinal section of the focusing device of the binocular ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 a cross-section of the focusing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 a detail of a device for limiting the rotational movement of thefocusing knob;

FIG. 8 a detail of the focusing device of FIG. 4 in a perspectiverepresentation and partially as an exploded view drawing;

FIG. 9 parts of the binocular of FIG. 1 in a front view as seen from theobjective-side;

FIG. 10 a cross-section through a first tube of the binocular of FIG. 1along the line A-A in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 a cross-section through a first tube of the binocular of FIG. 1along the line B-B in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 a section along the line D-D in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 a section through a first tube of the binocular of FIG. 1 alongthe line D-D in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 a longitudinal section through a push rod of a focusing gear;

FIG. 15 a perspective view of a tube of the binocular of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 a longitudinal section through the tube of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 a section along the line IX-IX in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 a detail of the lens mount with the joint head arrangement ofthe push rod according to FIG. 12, according to a direction of viewparallel to the line XIX-XIX as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 19 a cross-section of the detail according to FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 a detail of the eyepiece-side end region of the binocular in atop view;

FIG. 21 the detail of the eyepiece-side end region according to FIG. 20shown in a partially sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodimentsdescribed, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/orequal component designations, where the disclosures contained in theentire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts withequal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover,the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, atthe side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described anddepicted figure and in case of a change of position, thesespecifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the newposition.

FIG. 1 shows a field glass and/or a binocular 1 in a perspective view.It comprises a first tube 2-1 and a second tube 2-2 with optical systemsaccommodated therein for the enlarged representation of a distantobject. For connection and parallel arrangement of the two tubes 2-1,2-2, a hinged bridge 5 is formed between these. According to anexemplary embodiment of the binocular 1, a first hinged bridge 5-1 and asecond hinged bridge 5-2 distanced therefrom in the longitudinaldirection, both having a common hinge axis 4, are provided. Hence, thetwo tubes 2 can be pivoted against one another about the hinge axis 4and thus the pupil distance and/or the interpupillary distance 3 can beadjusted for different users.

For focusing the image through the two optical systems in the two tubes2-1, 2-2, a focusing device 7 is provided which is arranged between thefirst hinged bridge 5-1 and the second hinged bridge 5-2. The focusingdevice 7, in turn, comprises a housing 8 and a focusing knob 10 with arotational axis 9. In this regard, the rotational axis 9 of the focusingknob 10 is arranged coaxially to the hinge axis 4 of the hinged bridges5-1, 5-2. The focusing device 7 moreover comprises a diopter ring 23.The latter is also pivotable about the rotational axis 9.

FIG. 2 shows the binocular 1 according to FIG. 1 in a perspective viewdiagonally below. The focusing knob 10 formed with a knurled casing isaccessible both from an upper side (FIG. 1) and from a bottom side (FIG.2) of the binocular 1. Hence, a user is able, when gripping one of thetwo tubes 2-1, 2-2 to enclose it with their hand and to simultaneouslyact on the focusing knob 10 with their fingers both from the bottom sideand from the upper side.

FIG. 3 shows an optical system 24 of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 of thebinocular 1 by way of example.

In an order starting from the object side (left side in FIG. 3), theoptical system 24 comprises an objective lens 18, a focusing lens 6, aprism erecting system 20, a field lens 25 and an eyepiece lens 19. Forthe purpose of clarification, it should be mentioned that where here andbelow the term “lens” is used in a facilitating manner, this can, whereapplicable, also be a system formed of multiple individual lenses. Theprism erecting system 20 comprises an erecting prism of the type of aSchmidt-Pechan prism. At this point, it should be noted that in place ofa Schmidt-Pechan prism, other prism erecting systems, such as anAbbe-Koenig prism or an Uppendahl prism, can also be used.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the prism erecting system 20 isdimensioned such that a parallel offset by a distance 21 is formedbetween a first optical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and a secondoptical axis 17-2 of the eyepiece lens 19. The optical system 24 of thetwo tubes 2-1, 2-2 of the binocular 1 comprises a so-called internalfocusing. In this regard, for focusing the image the internal focusinglens 6 is displaced in the axial direction of the optical axis 17-1,17-2, wherein the rotational movement of the focusing knob 10 isconverted via a focusing gear 11 (FIG. 4) into a longitudinal movementand corresponding displacement of the focusing lens 6.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of a longitudinal section of the focusing device 7of the binocular 1 with parts of the focusing gear 11-1, 11-2 leading tothe two focusing lenses 6 (FIG. 3). The focusing device 7 as its centralelements comprises the housing 8 and the focusing knob 10 mounted so asto be rotatable about the rotational axis 9. The housing 8 of thefocusing device 7 is mounted on one of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 so as tobe prevented from rotating in relation thereto in the region of thehinged bridge 5-1. This mounting of the housing 8 of the focusing device7 is carried out jointly on a hinge axis 29 of the hinged bridge 5 ofthe two tubes 2. The axle nut 30 and counter nut 31 serving for thispurpose are also shown in FIG. 4. A threaded spindle 12 is arranged soas to be displaceable in the axial direction (rotational axis 9) in theinside of the housing 8. To transmit the axial adjustment movement ofthe threaded spindle 12 to the focusing lens 6 and/or the lens mount 26of the focusing lens 6, the focusing device 7 has one push rod 27 ineach case. For this purpose, a driver 28 mounted on an eyepiece-side endregion of the push rod 27 engages with the threaded spindle 12.

An end of the push rod 27 can be arranged in one of the tubes 2-1, 2-2and another end of the push rod 27 can be arranged in the hinged bridge5.

FIG. 5 shows the cross-section of the focusing device 7 according toFIG. 4, wherein its housing 8, the threaded spindle 12 and the focusingknob 10 are shown in separated and/or dismantled condition.

The threaded spindle 12 comprises an inner sleeve 32 with a frontadjusting disk 33 and a rear adjusting disk 34. Between end faces facingone another of the front adjusting disk 33 and the rear adjusting disk34, one driver head 35 of the driver 28 is sufficient, wherein the frontadjusting disk 33 on the one hand and the rear adjusting disk 34 comeinto contact on the driver head 35 and thus an axial displacement of thethreaded spindle 12 is converted into a corresponding movement of thepush rods 27-1, 27-2.

For mounting the front adjusting disk 33 and the rear adjusting disk 34on the inner sleeve 32 of the threaded spindle 12 it is provided thatthe two adjusting disks 33, 34 are arranged on a cylinder jacket sectionof the inner sleeve 32, wherein the rear adjusting disk 34 comes intocontact on a radially projecting shoulder of the inner sleeve 32. On theother hand, a compression spring 36 formed by a coil spring is mountedon the inner sleeve 32, said compression spring 36 in pretensionedcondition keeping the front adjusting disk 33, the driver head 35 andthe rear adjusting disk 34 pressed against each other.

An axle sleeve 37 is arranged in the inside of the housing 8 of thefocusing device 7 and is connected to the housing 8. This axle sleeve 37of the focusing device 7 serves as a straight guide for the threadedspindle 12. In this regard, the inner sleeve 32 of the threaded spindle12 is displaceable on the axle sleeve 37 of the housing 8 in the axialdirection.

For displacing the threaded spindle 12 on the axle sleeve 37 in thedirection of the rotational axis 9, according to this exemplaryembodiment, a slot 38 extending in the longitudinal direction of theaxle sleeve 37 is provided (FIG. 6). And on the other hand, a guide pin39 projecting inwards on an inner periphery of the inner sleeve 32 ofthe threaded spindle 12 is arranged, which engages in the slot 38 of theaxle sleeve 37. This means that in the assembled state of the focusingdevice 7, the guide pin 39 reaches through the slot 38 of the axlesleeve 37. Thus, the movement of the threaded spindle 12 is limited to atranslation 45 in the direction of the rotational axis 9 (FIG. 7). Forthis translation 45 to be effected by rotation of the focusing knob 10,a thread 40, which is contacted by a corresponding inner thread 41 of adrive bush 42 of the focusing knob 10, is formed on an outer peripheryof the threaded spindle 12.

In the assembled state, the drive bush 42 of the focusing knob 10 ismounted in the housing 8 of the focusing device 7 so as to be rotatable.Thus, according to this exemplary embodiment, the focusing knob 10 isarranged to be stationary in the axial direction (rotational axis 9).Rotation of the focusing knob 10 thus effects an axial displacement ofthe threaded spindle 12 with the two adjusting disks 33, 34, whereby infurther consequence—via the drivers 28-1, 28-2 and the push rods 27-1,27-2—the focusing lenses 6 are displaced in the axial direction (FIG.3).

FIG. 6 shows the focusing knob 10, the threaded spindle 12 and thehousing 8 of the focusing device 7 in a sectional view according to FIG.5. The representation corresponds to a viewing direction rotated by 90°.The slot 38 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the axlesleeve 37 and in which the guide pin 39 slides is clearly visible. Theslot 38 can also be designed as an oblong hole.

It is provided in the described binocular 1 and/or the focusing device 7that the rotational range and/or the rotational angle of the focusingknob 10 relative to the housing 8 of the focusing device 7 is limited bya stop on both ends of the rotational range, wherein the rotationalrange amounts to more than 360°. The stops 13-1, 13-2 are arranged so asto be offset from one another. For example, the stops 13-1, 13-2 can beoffset from one another in relation to a longitudinal direction of therotational axis 9 or about the rotational axis 9.

The focusing knob 10 comprises a stop bolt and/or a stop element 43,which is connected to the focusing knob 10 so as to be prevented fromrotating relative thereto. In the assembled state of the focusing knob10 and the housing 8 of the focusing device 7, this stop element 43extends in the inside of the axle sleeve 37 of the housing 8. Just asthe axle sleeve 37, the stop element 43 is arranged coaxially to thecommon rotational axis 9 of the focusing knob 10. In an outer cylinderjacket side of the stop element 43, therein, a threaded groove 44 isformed and/or molded in. In the assembled state, the guide pin 39 of theinner sleeve 32 of the threaded spindle 12 also reaches into the groove44 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 7 shows a detail of the device for limiting the rotational movementof the focusing knob 10 in an end position shown in a perspective viewaccording to FIG. 4. For the sake of clarity, in this regard, merely thestop element 43 of the focusing knob 10 and the guide pin 39 of thethreaded spindle 12 are shown.

As shown by means of FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide pin 39 is moved into thedirection of the longitudinal extent of the slot 38 of the axle sleeve37 (in the direction of the rotational axis 9) during rotation of thefocusing knob 10. Thus, it carries out just one translation 45. On theother hand, the stop element 43 carries out a pure rotational movement46 during rotation of the focusing knob 10. The movement of the guidepin 39 relative to the stop element 43 is that of a screwing movement,wherein the guide pin 39 moves along in the helically formed groove 44.In this regard, the height of a winding of the groove 44 is equal to thethread height of the engaging threads of the threaded spindle 12 and thefocusing knob 10 (thread 40, inner thread 41). It is provided that thearc length of the groove 44 (the length corresponding to a helix) islimited by a first stop 13-1 and a second stop 13-2. These stops 13-1,13-2, are formed by a front and/or a rear inner wall of the groove 44,wherein these inner walls are preferably oriented approximatelyperpendicular with respect to a direction of the relative movementbetween the guide pin 39 and the groove 44. The rotational movement ofthe focusing knob 10 according finds an end at a precisely definedrotational angle, namely when the front stop 13-1 and/or the rear stop13-2 comes into contact on the guide pin 39. The situation mentionedsecond is the one shown in FIG. 7, wherein the rear stop 13-2 restsagainst the guide pin 39.

In an alternative embodiment of the device for limiting the rotationalmovement of the focusing knob 10, the two stops 13-1, 13-2 are formed onthe stop element 43 by separate stop bodies that radially project froman outer cylinder jacket side of the stop element 43. Such analternative design of the stop element 43 accordingly also requires lessmaterial when it is produced.

The thus achieved limitation of the rotational movement and/or therotational angle of the focusing knob 10 that can be achieved, in aparticularly advantageous manner prevents jamming of the engagingthreads 40, 41. By the formation of the groove 44 on the stop element 43with a preselected arc length, hence, a rotational angle range preciselydefined in its end positions for the adjustment of the focusing knob 10and thus also the adjusting range of the focusing lenses 6 can beexactly prescribed. Thereby, unintended jamming of the focusing device7, as would be equivalent to tightening a screw connection, can beprevented.

By means of the representations in FIGS. 5, 6 and FIG. 8, below, thedesign of a device for diopter adjustment on the focusing device 7 ofthe binocular 1 is described. FIG. 8 shows a detail of the focusingdevice 7 (FIG. 4) in a perspective representation and partially shown asan exploded view drawing. On an eyepiece-side end region on the housing8 the diopter ring 23 is mounted so as to be pivotable with respect tothe rotational axis 9 (FIG. 5, 6).

As already mentioned in the context of the description of FIG. 5, thetwo adjusting disks 33, 34 are arranged on a cylinder jacket section ofthe inner sleeve 32 of the threaded spindle 12. However, correspondingto their mounting, the two adjusting disks 33, 34 are also pivotable onthe inner sleeve 32 with respect to the rotational axis 9, wherein thispivoting can be effected by actuation of the diopter ring 23. As can beclearly seen from the representation in FIG. 8, the diopter ring 23comprises a driver arm 47. The driver arm 47 extends in parallel to therotational axis 9 in the object-side direction and projects from theannular section of the diopter ring 23. Corresponding to thecross-section of the driver arm 47, the adjusting disks 33, 34 haverecesses 48-1, 48-2 on their periphery. By the driver arm 47 of thediopter ring 23 engaging in the recesses 48-1, 48-2 of the adjustingdisks 33, 34, these can be pivoted in relation to the rotational axis 9by actuating the diopter ring 23.

As was also already elucidated above by means of the description ofFIGS. 5 and 6, one driver head 35 of each of the drivers 28 of the twopush rods 27-1, 27-2 is carried along between facing end faces of thefront adjusting disk 33 and the rear adjusting disk 34 and in this way acorresponding displacement of the focusing lenses 6 takes place duringan axial displacement of the threaded spindle 12. Independent of anaxial displacement of the threaded spindle 12, an additionaldisplacement of one of the two focusing lenses 6 can now also beachieved by pivoting the diopter ring 23. For this purpose, sectionsand/or partial areas of the end faces of the two adjusting disks 33, 34coming into contact with the driver heads 35 are formed to extenddifferently. Specifically, one of the two partial areas has circularsides, while the other partial area has sides extending so as to bethread-like and/or helical. Accordingly, in a first partial area, ahelically extending first sliding way 49-1 is formed and in a secondpartial area, a circular second sliding way 49-2 is formed by the twoadjusting disks 33, 34.

To illustrate this, FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the two adjustingdisks 33, 34 also from the back side, i.e. in a side view marked with an“R”. According to this design of the two adjusting disks 33, 34, whenthe diopter ring 23 is actuated an additional displacement of thefocusing lens 6 of the first tube 2-1 is carried out (sliding way 49-1extending in a thread-like manner). However, pivoting of the arrangementof the two adjusting disks 33, 34 when the diopter ring 23 is actuateddoes not effect a displacement of the focusing lens 6 of the second tube2-2 (second sliding way 49-2 extending arcuately).

Moreover, it should be noted with regard to the constructional design ofthe diopter ring 23 that its annular section is arranged on the outerperiphery of the housing 8 of the focusing device 7. The driver arm 47of the diopter ring 23, for cooperating with the recesses 48-1, 48-2 onthe adjusting disks 33, 34, reaches into the inside of the housing 8formed to have a cylinder jacket shape. As can more clearly be seen inthe cross-section according to FIG. 6, for this purpose the driver arm47 comprises a radially extending section with which it is connected tothe annular section of the diopter ring 23. For this purpose, thehousing 8 of the focusing device 7 comprises a slot 50 extending acrossa partial area of the periphery in the eyepiece-side end region of itssection formed to have a cylinder jacket shape, which slot 50 the driverarm 47 reaches through (FIG. 8)

Moreover, in the section formed to have a cylinder jacket shape of thehousing 8, a first window 51-1 and a second window 51-2 are formed(FIGS. 5, 8), through each of which one of the two drivers 28-1, 28-2 ofthe focusing gear 11 extends. Hence, the driver heads 35-1, 35-2 of thedrivers 28-1, 28-2 can engage in the adjusting disks 33, 34 and an axialdisplacement can be transmitted to the push rods 27-1, 27-2 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 9 shows a representation of parts of the binocular 1 in a frontview as viewed from the object side in a direction of view oriented inparallel to the hinge axis 4. Of the binocular 1, merely the focusingdevice 7 (recognizable by the focusing knob 10 and the focusing gear11-1) with the driver 28-1, the push rod 27-1 and the lens mount 26-1 ofthe focusing lens 6 of the first tube 2-1 are shown. Additionally, oneof the lenses of the eyepiece 19 is shown. The optical axes parallel tothe hinge axis 4 and/or to the rotational axis 9, i.e. the first opticalaxis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and the second optical axis 17-2 ofthe eyepiece 19, appear in this representation as a point in the drawingplane (projecting). As already mentioned in the description of FIG. 3,the first optical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and the secondoptical axis 17-2 of the eyepiece 19 are offset parallel to each otherby the distance 21.

It is provided that the first optical axis 17-1 of the objective lens18, the second optical axis 17-2 of the eyepiece 19 and the hinge axis 4of the hinged bridge 5 lie on a common plane 22. This analogouslyapplied to the arrangement of the optical system 24 in the second tube2-2 which is arranged symmetrically to the first tube 2-1.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section through the first tube 2-1 in relation toa sectional plane formed by the plane 22 (FIG. 9). This means that therepresentation corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the plane 22containing the first optical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18, thesecond optical axis 17-2 of the eyepiece 19 and the hinge axis 4. Theorientation of the prism erecting system 20 in FIG. 10 corresponds tothe one shown in FIG. 3. Likewise, the distance 21 between the firstoptical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and the second optical axis17-2 of the eyepiece 19 is shown undistorted in the figure.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of the first tube 2-1 in relation to asection plane “B-B” (FIG. 9) containing the second optical axis 17-2 ofthe eyepiece 19 and being perpendicular to the plane 22. As thisrepresentation of the tube 2-1 shows, an outer side 52-1 of a tubehousing 57 comprises a waist 53 in the region of the prism erectingsystem 20.

The waist 53 is designed with a peripheral shape that deviates from acircular shape. A section extending on an upper side of the tube 2-1 isformed as a retaining recess 14-1 for a section of a finger followingthe waist 53, as is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. A section extending on abottom side of the tube 2-1 is formed as a retaining recess 14-2 for asection of a thumb of a user following the waist 53.

A plane 66 extending through the retaining recess 14-1 on the upper sideof the tube 2-1 and through a retaining recess 14-2 on the bottom sideof the tube 2-1 extends through the prism erecting system 20 and/or cutsit.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, each retaining recess 14-1,14-2 can have a concave cross-section transversely to the longitudinaldirection of the waist 53.

A longitudinal direction 67 of each retaining recess 14-1, 14-2 canextend obliquely to a longitudinal extent of the tube 2-1 (optical axes17-1, 17-2). Moreover, a longitudinal direction 67-1 of the retainingrecess 14-1 extending on the upper side and/or a longitudinal direction67-2 of the retaining recess 14-2 extending on the bottom side canenclose at least one angle 68 between 35° and 90° with a direction ofthe hinge axis 4. In this regard, the longitudinal direction 67 of aretaining recess 14 shall be understood as the direction of an extent ofthe valley floor of the retaining recess 14, as is indicated by dashedlines in FIGS. 15 and 16. This means that the sequence of the points ofthe local minimums of radial distances from intersection curvescontaining the optical axis 17-1 and/or 17-2 through the outer side 52of the tube housing 57 characterizes the longitudinal direction 67.

Moreover, each retaining recess 14-1, 14-2 of each tube 2-1 can have afirst eyepiece-side end region located closer to the eyepiece 19 and asecond objective-side end region located closer to the objective lens18. The distance between the respective eyepiece-side end regions of theretaining recesses 14-1, 14-2 of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 is smaller thanthe distance between the respective objective-side end regions of theretaining recesses 14-1, 14-2 of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2. Each tube 2-1,2-2 in the region of its waist 53 has two retaining recesses 14-1, 14-2opposite to one another, in particular two retaining recesses 14-1, 14-2arranged on sections of the tube 2-1, 2-2 rotated by 180° with respectto one another. This means that the retaining recesses 14-1, 14-2 of thebinocular 1 are offset to each other by 180° relative to the opticalaxes 17-1, 17-2 with respect to a rotation.

The retaining recesses 14-1, 14-2 of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 can tapertowards one another in a V-shape, wherein a retaining recess 14-1, 14-2of a first one of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 forms a first limb of the V anda retaining recess 14-1, 14-2 of a second one of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2forms a second limb of the V (FIG. 1). A tip of the V can be located inthe region of the focusing knob 10. Alternatively, imaginary extensionsof the longitudinal extents 67-1, 67-2 of the retaining recesses 14-1,14-2 maintaining an orientation of the retaining recesses 14-1, 14-2 canextend through the focusing knob 10, or the focusing knob 10 can bearranged between an imaginary extension of the longitudinal extents67-1, 67-2 maintaining the orientation of the retaining recesses 14-1,14-2.

A value of diameter 54 of the waist 53 measured perpendicularly withrespect to the plane 22 is in a ratio of less than 80%, preferablyapprox. 67%, to a value of a diameter 55 of an imaginary cylinder jacket56 circumscribing the outer side 52 of the tube 2 (FIG. 11). The outersides 52 of the two tubes 2-1, 2-2 are preferably formed to be waistedsuch that a ratio of the diameter 54 of the waist 53 to thecorresponding diameter 55 of the cylinder jacket 56 surrounding theouter side 52 is in a range between 0.60 and 0.80 (and/or between 60%and 80%).

In other words, a cross-section through each of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 inthe region of the waist 53, which cross-section is aligned normal to thefirst plane 22 and to the direction of the optical axis 17-1, 17-2(corresponds to the plane 66), has its narrowest part with respect to adirection perpendicular to the first plane 22 (FIGS. 9, 11). A ratio ofa clear height 69 of the narrowest part of the tube 2-1, 2-2 normal tothe first plane 22 to a maximum free diameter 70 of the objective lens18 has a value of below 80%, in particular of between 60% and 80%. Asmentioned above—as an introduction to the figure description of FIG.11—the waist 53 has a peripheral shape that deviates from a circularshape. Thus, diameters of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 in the region of the waist53, measured perpendicularly with respect to the optical axes 17-1,17-2, —as opposed to a circular cross-section—depending on the directionhave different values. This means that the diameter 54 of the waist 53measured perpendicularly with respect to the plane 22 corresponds to thenarrowest part and diameters measured in other directions have highervalues.

The waisting of the outer sides 52 of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 is advantageoussince it allows for particularly comfortable while at the same timesecure gripping and holding of the binocular 1 by a user.

According to a first example of the design of the outer sides 52 of thetubes 2-1, 2-2, the diameter 55 has a value of 51.5 mm and the diameter54 of the waist 53 has a value of 35 mm. The value of the maximum freediameter 70 of the objective lens 18 in these tubes 2-1, 2-2 amounts to42 mm and the value of the clear height 69 of the narrowest part amountsto 29 mm.

A second exemplary embodiment of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 provides ascorresponding values: The value of the diameter 55 of the imaginarycylinder jacket 56 circumscribing the outer sides 52 of the tube 2equals 44.5 mm; the value of the diameter 54 of the waist 53 equals 33.5mm; the value of the maximum free diameter 70 of the objective lens 18equals 32 mm and the value of the clear height 69 of the narrowest partof the tube equals 25.5 mm.

The corresponding values of the two examples are summarized in thefollowing table in a clear manner. In this regard, columns 6 to 9 ofthis table contain additional values of characteristic ratios from thesizes in columns 2 to 5.

exam- D55 D54 D69 D70 V54/ V54/ V69/ V(55 − ple [mm] [mm] [mm] [mm] 5570 70 54)/70 1 51.5 35 29 42 0.68 0.83 0.69 0.39 2 44.5 33.5 25.5 320.75 1.05 0.80 0.34

The column headers in the table mean:

-   D55: diameter 55 of the imaginary cylinder jacket 56 circumscribing    the outer side 52 of the tube 2;-   D54: diameter 54 of the waist 53 measured perpendicularly with    respect to the plane 22;-   D69: clear height 69 of the narrowest part of the tubes 2-1, 2-2    measured perpendicularly with respect to the plane 22;-   D70: maximum free diameter 70 of the objective lens 18;-   V54/55: ratio of diameter 54 to diameter 55;-   V54/70: ratio of diameter 54 to diameter 70;-   V69/70: ratio of diameter 69 to diameter 70;-   V(55-54)/70: ratio of the difference of diameter 55 and diameter 54    to diameter 70.

The outer design of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 of the binocular 1 ischaracterized particularly well by the ratio of the difference of thetwo diameters 55, 54 to the maximum free diameter 70 of the objectivelens 18 (table, column 9). In the binocular 1 according to thetechnology, this ratio is in a range larger than 0.20, preferably in arange of between 0.30 and 0.60.

Moreover, at this point, values of the distance 21, by which the firstoptical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and the second optical axis17-2 of the eyepiece 19 are offset parallel to each other, should bementioned as well. In example 1, the distance 21 has a value of 3.2 mmand in example 2 it has a value of 2.9 mm. Values of the distance 21 ina range of 2 mm to 10 mm prove to be particularly advantageous.

This design of the outer shape of the binocular 1 and/or the outer shapeof the tube housing 57 is favored by a particular design of the prismsof the prism erecting system 20 also being realized according to thisexemplary embodiment. As compared to the theoretical basic shape of thetwo prisms of a Schmidt-Pechan prism, in the present design, edgesprojecting in the radial direction—with respect to the optical axis17-1, 17-2—are replaced by chamfers, which can best be seen in FIG. 3,but also in FIG. 17,

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the binocular 1 in a reduced way ofrepresentation according to FIG. 9. The shown parts of the binocular 1,like in FIG. 9, are limited to a lens representing the eyepiece 19 andto the focusing device 7 with the focusing gear 11 and the lens mount 26of the focusing lens 6 (FIG. 3). The cross-section shown in FIG. 12corresponding to a sectional plane determined by a plane 59 containingthe hinge axis 4 (and/or the rotational axis 9) and the longitudinalaxis 15 of the push rod 27. The push rod 27 is aligned obliquely withrespect to the hinge axis 4, wherein—according to this exemplaryembodiment—its longitudinal axis 15 encloses an acute angle 58 with avalue of 7° with the hinge axis 4. The value of the angle 58 ispreferably selected from a range between 0° and 30°. However, withrespect to the first optical axis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and withrespect to the second optical axis 17-2 of the eyepiece 19, thelongitudinal axis 15 is arranged in a so-called skew position.

The arrangement of the different axes relative to one another can betterbe seen in the representation of FIG. 9. The hinge axis 4 on the onehand spans the common plane 22 with the optical axes 17-1, 17-2 and onthe other hand spans the common plane 59 with the longitudinal axis 15of the push rod 27. The two planes, i.e. the plane 22 and the plane 59,together enclose an angle 60 having a value from a range of between 0°and 30°, in particular between 10° and 30°. In the shown example, theangle 60 has a value of 12°. This arrangement or alignment of the pushrod 27 is realized by a corresponding bore in the tube housing 57, saidbore extending from the region of the hinged bridge 5-1, 5-2 and/or theregion of the focusing device 7 to the lens mount 26 of the focusinglens 6 (FIG. 13). The push rod 27 can thus be displaced back and forthin the tube housing 57 in the direction of its longitudinal axes 15.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section of the first tube 2-1 of the binocular 1according to a sectional plane formed be the plane 59. This means thatthe sectional plane contains the hinge axis 4 and the longitudinal axes15 of the push rod 27-1 (FIG. 9). As mentioned above, the tube housing57 comprises a bore and/or a guide tunnel 61, in which the push rod 27-1is held. The guide tunnel 61 accordingly extends from the inside of thetube housing 57, in the region of the lens mount 26 of the focusing lens6, up into the region of the first hinged bridge 5-1 where it opens tothe outside at an eyepiece-side end face of the first hinged bridge 5-1.Moreover, a window 62 is formed in the tube housing 57 between the guidetunnel 61 and the focusing device 7, directed in the radial directiontowards the hinge axis. The driver 28-1 reaches through this window 62from the push rod 27-1 into the housing 8 of the focusing device 7 (FIG.12). The arrangement of the push rods 27-1, 27-2 in the binocular 1 isthus provided such that these extend from the inside of the tube housing57 up into the first hinged bridge 5-1.

The design of the binocular 1 with the described, obliquely arrangedpush rods 27 and the corresponding guide tunnels 61 in the tube housings57 of the tubes 2-1, 2-2 in particular during assembling the binocular 1offers the possibility that hence, the adjustment of the focusing unitcan be carried out in a simple manner. Such an adaption is possible inthat the eyepiece-side end region of the push rod 27 is acted uponthrough the eyepiece-side end of the guide tunnel 61 by means of asuitable tool. As will be described below by means of FIG. 14, the pushrods 27 are adjustable in their length in the manner of a binocular.When assembling the binocular 1, hence, both for focusing and fordioptric correction, a middle basic position for the required adjustmentranges can be set.

FIG. 14 shows the push rod 27-1 shown as a longitudinal section withrespect to its longitudinal axis 15-1. The push rods 27-1, 27-1 arepreferably designed straightly. The push rod 27-1 comprises an inner rod63 as its main component and a push sleeve 64. FIG. 14 additionallyshows a sliding bush 65, by means of which the push rod 27-1 is held inthe guide tunnel 61. The inner rod 63 and the push sleeve 64 arepreferably designed having interlocking threads and can hence beadjusted in their relative position to each other in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis 15-1. The driver 28-1 is affixed on aneyepiece-side end of the push sleeve 64. On the other hand, anobjective-side end of the inner rod 63 is formed having a joint headarrangement 71. This joint head arrangement 71, in turn, engages with apivot socket 72 of the lens mount 26 of the focusing lens 6. Accordingto this exemplary embodiment, the joint socket 72 is formed by a forklaterally projecting from the lens mount 26 of the focusing lens 6 (alsosee FIGS. 9, 12). When adjusting the push rod 27-1 in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis 15-1, hence, a correcting movement in the radialdirection between the joint head arrangement 71 and the joint socket 72designed as a fork is possible. The joint head arrangement 71 ispreferably also designed having a pre-tensioned spring element and adisk, by which a contact free from play between the correspondingcontact sides of the joint socket 72 and the joint head arrangement 71is achieved in both adjustment directions. Thus, mechanical absence ofplay can be achieved overall for the transmission of movements from thefocusing knob 10 to the focusing lens 6.

The coupling and/or the mutual engagement of the push rod 27 and thelens mount 26 of the focusing lens 6 is elucidated in further detail bymeans of FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 shows a detail of the lens mount 26with the joint head arrangement 71 of the push rod 27 according to FIG.12. The representation corresponds to a lateral view onto the lens mount26 according to a direction of view parallel to the sectional plane“XIX-XIX” as indicated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 19 shows a cross-section corresponding to a sectional planecontaining the optical axis 17-1 with the focusing lens 6, the jointsocket 72, the lens mount 26 and the joint head arrangement 71 of thepush rod 27. The joint head arrangement 71 is affixed on the inner rod63 of the push rod 27 by means of a joint head base 76. For thispurpose, the joint head base 76 is screwed into the objective-side endof the inner rod 63. Further, a cylinder-shaped section of a joint head77 is mounted on the joint head base 76. Further, a sliding disk 78 anda compression spring 79 are mounted on the cylinder-shaped section ofthe joint head 77. In this compression spring 79 is arranged such thatit is supported on the hand on the sliding disk 78 and on the other handon a disk-shaped projection of the joint head basis 76. The compressionspring 79 is installed in the pre-tensioned state and hence thefork-shaped joint socket 72 of the lens mount 26 of the focusing lens 6is clamped and/or spanned between the sliding disk 78 and the joint head77. The transmission of a movement from the push rod 27 onto the lensmount 26 of the focusing lens 6 can thus be carried out free frommechanical play. Further, when the lens mount 26 is adjusted, a—withrespect to the optical axis 17-1—radial correcting movement of the jointhead 77 in the joint socket 72 is possible. Moreover, in the design ofthe joint socket 72 of the lens mount 26 it is provided that a flank 80on the eyepiece side and/or facing the sliding disk 78 has aninclination and/or oblique position corresponding to the longitudinalaxis 15 of the push rod 27. Hence, an approximately full-surface contactof the sliding disk 78 on the flank 80 of the joint socket 72 can beachieved. In particular, it is prevented that jamming of the slidingdisk 78 on the cylinder-shaped section of the joint head 77 occurs.

Moreover, with respect to the inner rod 63 and the push sleeve 64 of thepush rod 27-1, it is provided that the inner rod 63 reaches through thepush sleeve 64 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 15-1 andprotrudes from it beyond the eyepiece-side end region. A slot in theeyepiece-side end region of the inner rod 63 allows influence forexample by means of a screwdriver with which a change in length and/oran adjustment setting can be carried out on the push rod 27-1.

As can be seen from a combination of FIG. 10 and FIG. 17, the tube 2-1in a cross-section of the tube 2-1 corresponding to the first plane 22has the largest distance between opposite inner sides and thus itsbroadest part in a section covering the prism erecting system 20 (in alongitudinal region overlapping with the prism erecting system 20). Across-section normal to the first plane 22 and to the direction of theoptical axis through the tube 2-1 in the region of the waist 53 thus hasits broadest part in an intersection area of the tube 2-1 with the firstplane 22. This “broadest part” which is addresses here corresponds tothe “narrowest part” mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 11 (correspondingto plane 66).

A tip 73 of a roof edge 74 of the prism erecting system 20 is arrangedso as to be in a region of the broadest part and to point outwards (FIG.10). In this regard, the shortest distance between this tip 73 of theroof edge 74 and the inner wall of the tube 2-1 is smaller than theshortest distance between the tip 73 of the roof edge 74 and the opticalaxis 17-1 of the objective lens 18 and/or to the optical axis 17-2 ofthe eyepiece 19.

The tip 73 of the roof edge 74 of the prism erecting system 20 is thusarranged so as to be in the region of the broadest part and to pointoutwards such that the shortest distance between the tip 73 of the roofedge 74 and the inner wall of the tube 2-1 is smaller than the shortestdistance between the tip 73 of the rood edge 74 and a surface 75 of theprism erecting system 20 opposite to the tip 73 of the roof edge 74.

By means of FIGS. 20 and 21, below, an alternative exemplary embodimentof a device for dioptric correction in the binocular 1 is described.FIG. 20 shows a detail according to a top view onto the eyepiece-sideend region of the binocular 1. In this regard, the representationcorresponds to a direction of view onto the binocular 1 parallel to thelongitudinal axis 15 of the push rod 27 (FIG. 12). In this exemplaryembodiment of the device for dioptric correction, a diopter ring 81 isprovided which is arranged asymmetrically to the hinge axis 4 of thetubes 2-1, 2-2 of the binocular 1. This diopter ring 81 is arranged in aregion between the hinge axis 4 and the first tube 2-1. It is positionedin particular in the region of the first hinged bridge 5-1 and in thisrespect in particular positioned close to the eyepiece-side end regionof the push rod 27-1 (FIGS. 1, 12).

FIG. 21 shows a detail of the hinged bridge 5-1 of the binocular 1 withthe diopter ring 81 in a partially sectional view. The representation,in turn, corresponds to a direction of view parallel to the longitudinalaxis 15 of the first push rod 27-1. According to this exemplaryembodiment of the binocular 1, a diopter gear 82 is provided between thediopter ring 81 and the inner rod 63 of the push rod 27-1. In thisexemplary embodiment, it is formed by a gear drive. For this purpose, afirst gear 83 is connected to the diopter ring 81 and an actuation ofthe diopter ring 81 is hence transmitted onto a second gear 84. Aso-called sleeve coupling is formed between the second gear 84 and theeyepiece-side end region of the inner rod 63. This means that the secondgear 84 engages in an interlocking manner on the end of the inner rod 63such that a rotational movement is transmitted to the inner rod 63.According to this exemplary embodiment, the end of the inner rod 63 isformed so as to have a triangular profile. However, the second gear 84is not firmly connected to the inner rod 63 but the inner rod 63 canmove in the direction of the longitudinal axis 15-1 relative to the gear84. Further, due to the thread formed between the push sleeve 64 and theinner rod 63, in case of a rotation of the gear 84, an additional axialdisplacement of the inner rod 63 with the joint head arrangement 71 inthe direction of the longitudinal axis 15-1 takes place. In this regard,the diopter ring 81 and the gears 83, 84 of the diopter gear 82 are notdisplaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis 15-1. Furthermore,an actuation of the focusing knob 10 and thus an axial displacement ofthe entire push rod 27-1 also remains without an interaction on thesetting of the diopter ring 81 and/or the diopter gear 82.

The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and itshould be noted in this respect that the technology is not restricted tothese particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that ratheralso various combinations of the individual embodiment variants arepossible and that this possibility of variation owing to the teachingfor technical action provided by the present technology lies within theability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

All indications regarding ranges of values in the present descriptionare to be understood such that these also comprise random and allpartial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to beunderstood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lowerlimit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with alower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less,for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease ofunderstanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted toscale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.

1. A binocular having two tubes, which are connected to one another bymeans of a hinged bridge pivotable about a hinge axis for adjusting theinterpupillary distance, wherein an axially displaceable focusing meansis arranged in each one of the two tubes, and wherein a common focusingdevice for displacing the focusing means is formed, wherein the focusingdevice comprises a housing and a focusing knob rotatable about arotational axis and the rotational axis is arranged coaxially to thehinge axis, and wherein the focusing knob is rotationally coupled to afocusing gear and the focusing gear, in each case, comprises a push rod,by means of which the focusing gear is, in each case, coupled to one ofthe two focusing means, wherein a direction of a longitudinal axis ofthe push rod encloses an acute angle with a direction of the hinge axis.2. The binocular according to claim 1, wherein the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the push rod of each tube is aligned skew withrespect to a direction of an optical axis of the tube.
 3. The binocularaccording to claim 1, wherein, in the two tubes, in each case, a beampath is formed with a first optical axis of an objective lens, with asecond optical axis of an eyepiece and with a prism erecting system,wherein the first optical axis of the objective lens and the secondoptical axis of the eyepiece are offset parallel to each other by adistance so that these axes do not coincide, wherein the hinge axis ofthe hinged bridge, the first optical axis of the objective lens and thesecond optical axis of the eyepiece lie in a common, first plane.
 4. Thebinocular according to claim 3, wherein the hinge axis spans a secondplane with the longitudinal axis of the push rod, wherein the firstplane and the second plane commonly enclose an acute angle with a valuebetween 0° and 30°, in particular between 10° and 30°.
 5. The binocularaccording to claim 1, wherein the push rod is held in a guide tunnel ofa tube housing so as to be displaceable in the direction of itslongitudinal axis.
 6. The binocular according to claim 1, wherein thepush rods are adjustable in their length in a telescope-like manner. 7.The binocular according to claim 1, wherein the focusing knob isarranged so as to be freely accessible from an upper side and from abottom side of the binocular.
 8. The binocular according to claim 1,wherein an outer side of each tube comprises a waist formed with acircumferential shape deviating from a circular shape in a region of theprism erecting system, wherein a section extending on an upper side ofthe tube is formed as a retaining recess following the waist for asection of a finger and a section extending on a bottom side of the tubeis formed as a retaining recess following the waist for a section of athumb of a user.
 9. The binocular according to claim 8, wherein theretaining recesses each have a concave cross-section transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the waist.
 10. The binocular according toclaim 8, wherein a longitudinal direction of the retaining recessextending on the upper side and/or a longitudinal direction of theretaining recess extending on the bottom side encloses at least an angleof between 35° and 90° with a direction of the hinge axis.
 11. Thebinocular according to claim 8, wherein a longitudinal extent of eachretaining recess extends obliquely to a longitudinal extent of the tube.12. The binocular according to claim 8, wherein each retaining recess ofeach tube has a first eyepiece-side end region located closer to theeyepiece and a second objective-side end region located closer to theobjective lens, wherein the distance between the respectiveeyepiece-side, first end regions of the retaining recesses of the twotubes is smaller than the distance between the respectiveobjective-side, second end regions of the retaining recesses of the twotubes.
 13. The binocular according to claim 8, wherein each tube in theregion of its waist has two retaining recesses which are opposing eachother, in particular two retaining recesses which are arranged onsections of the tube rotated by 180° with respect to one another. 14.The binocular according to claim 8, wherein the retaining recesses ofthe two tubes taper towards one another in a V-shape, wherein aretaining recess of a first one of the two tubes forms a first limb ofthe “V” and a retaining recess of a second one of the two tubes forms asecond limb of the “V”.
 15. The binocular according to claim 14, whereina tip of the “V” is located in the region of the focusing knob, or thatan imaginary extension of the longitudinal extents of the retainingrecesses keeping an orientation of the retaining recesses extendsthrough the focusing knob, or that the focusing knob is arranged betweenan imaginary extension of the longitudinal extents keeping theorientation of the retaining recesses.
 16. The binocular according toclaim 8, wherein the outer sides of the two tubes in each case comprisethe waist in the region of the prism erecting system in a directionperpendicular with respect to the first plane.
 17. The binocularaccording to claim 8, wherein a cross-section normal to the first planeand to the direction of the optical axis through each of the tubes inthe region of the waist has its narrowest part in an intersection areaof the respective tube with a plane extending normal to the direction ofthe first optical axis of the objective lens, wherein a ratio of adiameter of the narrowest part of the tube normal to the first plane toa diameter of the housing in the area of the objective lens has a valueof below 80%, in particular between 60-80%.
 18. The binocular accordingto claim 8, wherein a cross-section normal to the first plane and to thedirection of the optical axis through each one of the tubes in theregion of their waists has its widest part in an intersection area ofthe tube with the first plane.
 19. The binocular according to claim 18,wherein a tip of a rood edge of the prism erecting system is arranged inthe region of the widest part and facing outwards, wherein the shortestdistance between the tip of the roof edge and the inner wall of the tubeis smaller than the shortest distance between the tip of the roof edgeand a surface of the prism erecting system opposite the tip of the roofedge.
 20. The binocular according to claim 1, wherein the prism erectingsystem comprises a Schmidt-Pechan prism system.
 21. The binocularaccording to one of claim 1, wherein a third plane extending through thefirst retaining recess at the upper side of the tube and through theretaining recess at the bottom side of the tube extends through theprism erecting system.
 22. A binocular having two tubes, which areconnected to one another by means of a hinged bridge pivotable about ahinge axis for adjusting the interpupillary distance, wherein an axiallydisplaceable focusing means is arranged in each one of the two tubes,and wherein a common focusing device for displacing the focusing meansis formed, wherein the focusing device comprises a housing and afocusing knob rotatable about a rotational axis and the rotational axisis arranged coaxially to the hinge axis, and wherein the focusing knobis rotationally coupled to a focusing gear and the focusing gear, ineach case, comprises a push rod, by means of which the focusing gear is,in each case, coupled to one of the two focusing means, wherein one endof the push rod is arranged in one of the tubes and another end of thepush rod is arranged in the hinged bridge.